Monday, December 29, 2014

The Artful Stampers Blog Hop Challenge #13

Welcome from Alison's blog.

We had a colour challenge again this week.

CASE'd from Charlie Camp & LeeAnn Greff

I have wanted to make this card for a while now and this colour combo challenge was the perfect opportunity.
The balloons are made using the small oval punch and the feet from the Owl Builder punch. When I first saw it I thought it was a brilliant idea. 
I must admit my colouring in needs a little practice but overall I am happy with how this turned out. 
I will be sad when the current Occasions Catalogue ends and the Holiday Home stamp and framelits set will be no longer available. I am hoping that they will bring it back in one form or another in the next catalogue as I think it is a very versatile set.

PROJECT RECIPE
Stamps
- Holiday Home - 135095
- Lovely As a Tree - 127793
- Polka-Dot-Pieces - 129708

Cardstock & Ink
- Kraft Cardstock - 133674
- Whisper White
- Sahara Sand
- Old Olive
- Tangerine Tango
- Crushed Curry

SU Accessories
- Homemade Holiday Framelits Dies - 135857
- Small Oval Punch - 120908
- Owl Builder Punch - 118074

Next on the hop is Nicole.

Only a small contingent this week due to Christmas holidays.
Jane Riches --- YOU ARE HERE
Until next time :o)

Monday, December 22, 2014

The Artful Stampers Blog Hop Challenge #12



Welcome from Alison's blog.
This week we have a sketch challenge.


This is what I did with the sketch.

CASE'd from GeorgeAnn Manning

PROJECT RECIPE
Stamps
- Itty Bitty Banners - 126257

Cardstock & Ink
- Night of Navy
- Coastal Cabana
- Real Red
- Whisper White
- Fresh Prints DSP stack - 132996 (Retired)

Stampin' Up! Accessories
- Petite Petals Punch - 133322 (candle flames)
- Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder - 117335
- Candy Dots  (Pool Party)- 130933

Next on the hop is Nicole. Go and enjoy her creation.
Until next time :o)

Monday, December 15, 2014

The Artful Stampers Blog Hop Challenge #11

Welcome from Nicole's blog.
This week was a colour challenge again.

PROJECT RECIPE
Stamps
- Hardwood - 133035
- Papillion Potpourri - 123759
- Hip Hip Hooray - 134998 (from the Hip Hip Hooray Card Kit)

Cardstock & Ink
- Kraft Cardstock - 133674 
- Basic Gray
- Smoky Slate
- Pistachio Pudding
- Blushing Bride
- Rose Red

Stampin' Up! Accessories
- Modern Label punch - 119849
- Elegant Butterfly punch - 12756
- Stretch Ruffle Trim Pistachio Pudding - (Retired 130020)

I also used a piece of hessian that I had and inked it with Basic Gray ink.

Next on the hop is Karlie, so go check out what she has created.


Until next time :o)

Monday, December 8, 2014

The Artful Stampers Blog Hop Challenge #10

Welcome from Tamsin's blog.
This week was a sketch challenge.

Here is my loose adaption



I had the base with the embossing on it from a previous card I was going to make but wasn't happy with. I had the Trim the Tree Designer Series Paper Stack sitting on my craft table and the patterned piece that you see just jumped out at me. It was already the perfect size to fit in-between the embossing. I really love the colour combination that is in it with the Cherry Cobbler, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding and Garden Green, I think it looks very fresh. 
PROJECT RECIPE
Stamps
- Good Greetings (Hostess)

Cardstock & Ink
- Whisper White
- Calypso Coral
- Garden Green
- Pistachio Pudding
- Crisp Cantaloupe
- Trim the Tree DSP - 135824

Stampin' Up! Accessories
- Delicate Designs Embossing Folder - 127023
- Decorative Label Punch - 120907
- Scallop Oval - 119856
- 1 3/8" Circle Punch - 119860
- 1 1/4" Circle Punch - 119861
- Itty Bitty Accents Heart Punch - 133787
- Thick Bakers Twine Crisp Cantaloupe - 135636
- Dazzling Details - 124117

Next on the hop is Alison, check out her creation.
The other participants are:
Jane Riches --- YOU ARE HERE

Until next time :o)

Sunday, December 7, 2014

2014 Christmas Cards

This week I managed to make and send my Christmas cards.


I CASE'd this card from here. I loved the idea of using the Wondrous Wreath stamp & die set and really liked the idea of using the wreath to hold the card together. In hind sight I should have made the bottom panel higher, as I didn't realise until I went to write in the cards that that would be the space for the writing to go. It made it a little squeeze to try and fit much in there. 
Base is 5 1/4" (scored at 4 1/8")x 5 7/8" 
Bottom panel should be 1 1/2" x 5 7/8" (mine is 1" x 5 7/8")
PROJECT RECIPE
Stamps
- Wondrous Wreath - 135047 (Holiday Catalogue 28/8/14 - 5/1/15)

Cardstock & Ink
- Pistachio Pudding
- Garden Green
- Cherry Cobbler
- Season of Style DSP - 132181 (Holiday Catalogue Aug 13 - Jan 14)

Stampin' Up! Accessories
- Wonderful Wreath Framelits Dies - 135851 (Holiday Catalogue 28/8/14 - 5/1/15)
- 2-Way Glue Pen - 100425

The 2-Way Glue Pen is great to use when gluing word die cuts as you just write with it like a pen and get the glue exactly where you want it to go.

These cards were a lot of fun to make and I look forward to hearing what my recipients think of them.

Until next time :o)

Monday, December 1, 2014

The Artful Stampers Blog Hop Challenge #9

Hello again from Annette's blog. Welcome to RichesStitches Designs.

Well, we have another colour challenge this week.
Here's mine.

CASE'd from Patsy Wagoner

I decided to go subtle and a little femanine this week. I also cheated a little and added a bit of Strawberry slush to the mix because it is so close to Melon Mambo in colour.

PROJECT RECIPE
Stamps
- Polka- Dot Pieces - 129708
- Trust God - 126702

Cardstock & Ink
- Whisper White
- Melon Mambo
- Basic Black
- Fancy Foil Designer Vellum Gold - 133363

Stampin' Up Accessories
- Bird Builder Punch - 117191
- Scalloped Tag Topper Punch - 133324
- Tea Lace Paper Doilies - 129399
- Thick Bakers Twine Strawberry Slush - 135637
- Stretch Ruffle Trim Strawberry Slush (Retired)

I really was wanting to use my Trust God stamp set as I really love the verses that it has in it. The one I used is from Proverbs 3:5-6 and is one of my favourite bible verses.

I am sorry to tease you with the ruffle ribbon, but I absolutely love the stuff and still have a bit of it in my stash.

My trick for sticking the Vellum without seeing the adhesive through the paper, was just to dab a spot of glue at the back of each gold heart, it works a treat. I also double stamped the leaves to soften the black ink and give it the subtle effect that I was going for.

Now you can hop over to Anna's blog and see what she has come up with this week.

Our other contributors are:
Jane Riches ---YOU ARE HERE
Until next time :o)

Monday, November 24, 2014

The Artful Stampers Blog Hop Challenge #8 - Sketch Challenge

Welcome from Anna's blog.
This week we have a sketch challenge.

I made this card

PROJECT RECIPE
Stamps
- World Map -130345
- Traveler - 134513
- Life's Adventure - 133934 (Hostess
Cardstock & Ink
- Soft Suede
- Night of Navy
- Very Vanilla
- Sahara Sand
Stampin' Up! Accessories
- Baker's Twine Early Espresso - 123124
- Argyle Embossing Folder - 127750

I really love the way the World Map background stamp goes so well with the Traveler stamp set. I had a lot of fun making this card this week.

Next on the hop is Annette Sullivan. Check out her lovely creation.
The other participants are:
Jane Riches --- YOU ARE HERE
Until next time :o)

Monday, November 17, 2014

The Artful Stampers Blog Hop Challenge #7 - Colour Combo

Welcome from Annette's blog. Glad you could pop by for a visit.

As you may know already this is the colour challenge we had for this week.

This is what I did.
CASE'd from Mary Fish

I kept it Clean and Simple this week (due to not having much time to be too creative).
I didn't have any Silver Glimmer paper so improvised by using Smoky Slate cardstock and covering with Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter (thanks Alisa Tilsner for that handy hint). I think it came up alright. I stamped off the Strawberry Slush ink that I used for the flowers, as I wanted them to look a bit softer. I also hand drew the stems and leaves using the Pistachio Pudding Stampin' Write Marker. The vase was made by using a Scallop Border Punch mask, then giving a good sponging with Crushed Curry ink and cutting it to shape. 
I must say that I think that the Wondrous Wreath stamp set and dies would have to be one of the most versatile. It can be used for so much more than just Christmas wreaths and therefore makes it very good value for money. It is currently available as a Bundle & Save 15% on page 9 in the current Occasions Catalogue. 

PROJECT RECIPE
Stamps
- Wondrous Wreath - 135047
- Good Greetings - 135017 (Hostess)
Cardstock & Ink
- Whisper White
- Kraft Cardstock - 133674
- Smoky Slate
- Pistachio Pudding
- Memento Ink - Tuxedo Black - 132708
Stampin' Up! Accessories
- VersaMark - 102283
- Heat & Stick Powder - 100625
- Stampin' Glitter Dazzling Diamonds - 133751
- 1 3/4" Circle Punch - 119850
- Candy Dots Crushed Curry - 130932

Now hop over to Tamsin's blog to see what she has created this week.
Here are the rest of the players:
Jane Riches ---YOU ARE HERE

If you would like to purchase any of the items that I have used in my card this week, head over to my Stamping' Up! store here.

Thanks for popping by.
Until next time :o)

Monday, November 10, 2014

The Artful Stampers Blog Hop Challenge #6 - Sketch Challenge

Hello to my visitors from Nicole's blog.

I loved this weeks challenge.
This was the sketch we had to work with this week.

This is what I came up with:
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PROJECT RECIPE
Stamps
- Hardwood - 133035
- Life's Adventure - 133934 (Hostess)
Cardstock & Ink
- Sahara Sand
- Tangelo Twist
- Coastal Cabana
- Whisper White
- Lost Lagoon
- Cajun Craze
- All Is Calm Specialty DSP - 135823
- Trim the Tree DSP Stack - 135824
Stampin' Up! Accessories
- What's Up punch - 133781
- Thick Baker's Twine (Baked Brown Sugar) - 135639
- Neutrals Candy Dots (Sahara Sand) - 130934
- Gold Basic Metal Buttons - 133763

Next on the hop is Tamsin, click to see her creative project.

The rest of this weeks team are:
Jane Riches --- YOU ARE HERE
Until next time :o)

Monday, November 3, 2014

The Artful Stampers Blog Hop Challenge #5 - Colour Combo Challenge

You are probably visiting me from Nicole's blog, if so welcome to my contribution to the Blog Hop.
As you may be aware, this is the challenge we were given this week:

Agh, another five colour challenge.
I actually CASED this card from page139 in the Annual Catalogue.

I thought this stamp set worked well with using five different colours.
PROJECT RECIPE
Stamps
- Polka-Dot Pieces - 129708
- Gorgeous Grunge - 130517
Cardstock & Ink
- Kraft Cardstock
- Whisper White
- Pool Party
- Cherry Cobbler
- Island Indigo
- Pear Pizzazz
Stampin' Up! Accessories
- Stripes Embossing Folder (retired)
- Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder - 117335
- 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch - 118874
- 1 3/4" Scallop Circle Punch - 119854
- 1 1/4" Scallop Circle Punch - 127811
- 1/2" Circle Punch - 119869
- Bird Builder Punch - 117191
- Beach House Washi Tape - 113689

I didn't realise until after I had made the card that the Stripes Embossing Folder was retired. The new Large Polka Dot folder would work well in its place. I am thinking that I am going to have to put that one on my next order. I really had a lot of fun making this one and I loved the way it turned out.
I am looking forward to what we have to make next week.

Next on the hop is Annette.

Only a small contingent of contributors this week:

Until next time :o)

Monday, October 27, 2014

The Artful Stampers Blog Hop Challenge #4 - Sketch Challenge

Welcome to my interpretation of this weeks sketch challenge, which was a great one. This is what we had to work with:

This is what I came up with:

I had a lot of fun making this card. I pretty much stuck exactly to the sketch, just flipped it on its side.

PROJECT RECIPE
Stamps
- Holiday Home - 135095
Cardstock & Ink
- Whisper White
- Kraft Cardstock - 133674
- Memento Tuxedo Black - 132708
- Tangerine Tango
- Bermuda Bay
- Daffodil Delight
Stampin' Up! Accessories
- Retro Fresh Washi Tape - 133001
- Brights Candy Dots - 130931
- Crystal Effects - 101055
- Aqua Painters - 103954
- What's Up Punch - 133781
- 3/8" circle punch - (retired)

I used Stampin' Write markers to colour in my house then blended the lines using the Aqua Painter brush with water. For the large dot I used the the 3/8" circle punch from the retired Itty Bitty Punch set but you could also use the largest circle from the Owl Builder Punch. I then covered it in Crystal Effects to make it shiny and give it more dimension.

Next on the blog hop is Anna Foster.

Here are the rest of this weeks contributors:
Jane Riches ---- YOU ARE HERE
Until next time :o)

Monday, October 20, 2014

The Artful Stampers Blog Hop Challenge #3 - Colour Combo Challenge

If you are visiting from Annette's Blog, welcome.
This week was another colour combo challenge and to be honest with you I found it quite difficult. We had these colours to work with:
Five colours was hard.

First I did this card:
But I didn't think that it showed the colour combo properly and the Very Vanilla seemed too dominant.

Then I did this card:
I was a a bit happier with it and I think it may have been easier if I had some DSP with the colours in it.
Project Recipe (for card #2)
Stamps
- Flower Shop - 130942
- Petite Petals - 133155
- Wondrous Wreath - 135047
- Itty Bitty Banners - 126257
Cardstock & Ink
- Blackberry Bliss
- Wild Wasabi
- Crumb Cake
- Garden Green
- Very Vanilla
- Rich Razzleberry
Stampin' Up! Accessories
- Framelits - Labels Collection - 125598
- Framelits - Bitty Banners - 129267
- Wonderful Wreath Framelits Dies - 135851
- Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch - 119275
- Pansy Punch - 130698
- Petite Petals Punch - 133322
- Woodgrain Embossing Folder - 127821
- Pearl Basic Jewels - 119247

I embossed the bow and the Scalloped Ribbon, as I was trying to give the effect of real ribbon. In hind sight I think I should have embossed the Wild Wasabi background to give a bit of character.

I am hoping that next weeks challenge is a bit easier. I must admit though, that I did enjoy the challenge.

The next stop is Anna Foster.

This weeks participants are:
Jane Riches ---- YOU ARE HERE

Until next time :o)

Monday, October 13, 2014

The Artful Stampers Blog Hop #2 - Sketch Challenge

You may have come here from Kathryn's blog so welcome.

This weeks challenge was to use this sketch:


PROJECT RECIPE
Stamps
- Papillion Potpourri - 123759
- Delightful Dozen - retired
Cardstock & Ink
- Whisper White - 106549
- Motley Monsters DSP - 135819
- Colour Me Autumn DSP - 135820
- Blackberry Bliss Ink - 133642
- Hello Honey Ink - 133643
Stampin' Up! Accessories
- Elegant Butterfly Punch - 127526
- Bitty Butterfly Punch - 129406
- 1 3/4" Circle Punch - 119850
- Project Lief Corner Punch - 135346
- Decorative Dots Embossing Folder - 133520
- Tea Lace Paper Doilies - 129399
- 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon - Crushed Curry - 134555
- Thick Bakers Twine - Coastal Cabana - 135638
- Basic Metal Buttons - 133319
- Pearl Basic Jewels - 119247

I love layering patterned papers with strong colours under doilies, I think it gives an interesting effect. The butterfly has been adhered with stampin' dimensionals to give a bit of depth.

I look forward to what we are given next week.

The next stop is Tamsin Adams

Here is the full list of participants:


Until next time :o)

Monday, October 6, 2014

The Artful Stampers Team Challenge Hop

I am back. I can't believe it's been 3 years since my last blog post. Where did that time go?

A bit has happend in that time. I have changed jobs and am now working 4 days a week, my craft group finished up and I have also become an Independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator, although the later is really just as a hobby.

I seem to have gravitated to doing nearly all card making and paper craft these days, I guess because I am busier with more work hours and I enjoy the fact that it is quick to complete a project.

Speaking of projects I am pleased to be participating in The Artful Stampers Team Challenge Blog Hop. We are doing a colour combo challenge - make a card or paper craft project using the below colour combo.

This is my contribution:


PROJECT RECIPE
Stamps
- Wondrous Wreath - 135047
- Create a Cupcake - (Retired)
Cardstock & Ink
- Daffodil Delight
- Coastal Cabana
- Bermuda Bay
- Whisper White
Stampin' Up! Accessories
- 5/8" Organza Ribbon - Whisper White - 114319
- Rhinestone Basic Jewels - 119246
- Wonderful Wreath Framelits Dies - 135851
- Bitty Banners Framelits Dies - 129267
- Large Scallop Edgelits Die - 127019
- Delicate Designs Embossing Folder - 127023
- Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack - (Retired)


The next stop on this blog hop is Annette Sullivan of Lavender Thoughts

If you missed any of the stops here is the full list:
Jane Riches  ---- YOU ARE HERE

If you are interested in purchasing any of the the products that I have used, you can find them here.
Until next time :o)